OWEN'S GOLDEN BALL

SOCCER star Michael Owen has spent 10,000 on a state-of-the-art alarm system at his new home...to protect a football.

But it's not just any old ball. It's the one he used to score a hat-trick against Germany in England's 5-1 World Cup qualifying win.

The black and white leather Adidas ball, signed by all the England stars who played that night, will be put in a reinforced glass case, protected by an infra-red alarm system.

The sensors are so sophisticated they detect anyone who comes within 400 yards. And if a burglar does reach the case and smash the glass, he will trigger an alarm both in the house and at a security control centre.

The Liverpool star has told friends the alarm system is similar to those used by jewellers in London's Hatton Garden costing 10,000. It has been installed at his new 750,000 home in a North Wales village, where he is about to move with long-time girlfriend Louise Bonsall.

Even though Owen has amassed an array of trophies, including European Footballer of the Year, the ball is his his prized possession.

A friend said: "Mike's hardly let the ball out of his sight since the Germany game. He's paranoid about it going missing."

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